PDR for Herbal Medicines

482 /LOTUS

Flower and Fruit: The solitary flowers are 16 to 23 cm

across, pink and scented. They grow above the leaves. The

seeds are 1.7 by 1.3 cm and ovoid.

Leaves, Stein and Root: The rhizome is 10 to 20 cm long,

stout and branching. It bears numerous scale-like leaves as

well as foliage" leaves. The foliage leaves are peltate and

have no sinuses. The petioles are 1 to 2 cm long, the lamina

are 30 to 100 cm in diameter and are almost circular, glossy

and unwettable.

Habitat: The plant is indigenous to India.

Production: Lotus is the whole plant of Nelumbo nucifera.

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Isoquinoline alkaloids: including.

benzyl isoquinoline type: armepavine, n-methyl coclaurine

aporphine type: roemerine (remerine), nuciferine, n-nomu-

ciferine, nornuciferine, anonaine, liriodenine, asimilobin,

lirinidin

proaporphine type: prunuciferine

Flavonoids: including hyperoside, isoquercitrin, nelumbo-

side, quercetin glucuronide, camphor glucuronide

Tannins

EFFECTS
Active agents are the alkaloids nelumbin and roemerine in
the leaves. The drug is an astringent.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Unproven Uses: The powdered beans are used in the
treatment of digestive disorders, particularly diarrhea. The
flowers are-used,as aji astringent for bleeding.
Indian Medicine: Lotus is used for cholera, diarrhea, worm
infestation, vomiting, states of exhaustion and intermittent
fever.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction
with the proper administration of designated therapeutic
dosages.
DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: Preparations of the plant are
available in powder and liquid extract for internal use.
LITERATURE
Hegnauer R: Chemotaxonomie der Pflanzen, Bde 1-11,
Birkhauser Verlag Basel, Boston, Berlin 1962-1997.
Kem W, List PH, Horhammer L (Hrsg.), Hagers Handbuch der
Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl., Bde. 1-8, Springer Verlag
Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.

PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Lovage

Levisticum officinale

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the dried rhizome

and roots, the cut, dried herb and the dried fruit.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are in 8 to 20 rayed

compound umbels. There is an involucre and epicalyx. There

is no calyx. The orbicular petals are pale yellow and

involute. The fruit is yellow-brown, 5 to 7 mm long,

compressed, and has sharply keeled to winged ribs.

Leaves,.Stem and Root: The plant is a sturdy perennial. It has

a thick, spindle-shaped, branched root, which is brownish-

yellow on the outside and whitish on the inside. The stem is

erect, round, hollow, finely grooved, glabrous and up to 4 cm

thick at the base. The leaves are rich green, glossy,

coriaceous; the lower ones double pinnate, the upper ones

simple-pinnate. The leaflets are broad and obovate.

Characteristics: The rubbed leaves give off an aromatic

scent. The fruit is very fragrant.

Habitat: Lovage is indigenous to the Mediterranean region.

It grows wild in the Balkans and northern Greece and is

cultivated elsewhere.

Production: Lovage root consists of the dried rhizomes and

roots of Levisticum officinale, as well as their preparations.

Roots of 2-year-old plants are collected in autumn. It is

important that the roots are not damaged during the drying

process since this would result in a loss of the essential oil.

Not to be Confused With: Angelicae radix, Pastinacae radix

or Pimpinellae radix.

Other Names: Lavose, Sea Parsley

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Volatile oil (0.35-1.7%): chief components alkylphthalides

(aroma-bearers), including among others 3-butylphthalide,

ligusticumlactone (E- and Z-butylidenphthalides), E- and Z-

ligustilide furthermore, including among others, alpha- and

beta-pinene, beta-phellandrene, citronellal

Hydroxycoumarins: umbelliferone

Coumarin

Furocoumarins: bergaptene, apterin

Polyynes: including among others, falcarindiol (probably

only in the fresh rhizome)

EFFECTS

Lovage has diuretic, sedative, antimicrobial and cholinergic

properties.